After I Fall

Ch 10: Lex

I release a tired breath as I get out of the boxing ring. Cesar hands me a towel to wipe the sweat off my face. Today's boxing session had been intense. Cesar put his all into our match, and I have a feeling he punched a little harder today because of Caterina. It's been two weeks since the incident and two weeks since I last saw her. When Matteo offered to house Caterina for a few nights, I protested. Then what he told me made me realize just how bad I'm fucking up the plan.

"Fratellone, you shot at her. Do you want all of our hard work to go to waste? We've waited and planned for years to take down this family. You are not the only one who sacrificed for this." Matteo roars, throwing his glass against my office wall. I may be the Don of the Valentino family and the eldest brother, but Matteo should lead us. I will never tell him that, but I know if that stupid rule of the eldest son taking over didn't exist. Matteo would be the Don, he was more level-headed, but it is my birthright.

"You don't think I feel like shit?" I run my fingers through my hair. "I can't go back from that."

"You can and you will." He glares at me. "You need to take time away."

"No, I haven't made any progress on the docks."

"And you won't. You think Catarina will be so forgiven! Alexandro, she is the enemy, but she doesn't need to know that. You make her fall in love with you. Seep into her heart, her soul like a drug, make her addicted to you. Then everything will be smooth sailing." He pulls out his cell phone, typing quickly. "Now it's settled. I'll keep Caterina for a while and do some damage control before sending her back."

"Don't fuck her," I warn him.

"She isn't my type. Also, I have my eye on someone."

"Lola?"

"None of your fucking business," he says, pocketing his phone and leaving out the office.

Cesar glares at me as he uncaps the top of his water bottle. One would think this isn't the little brother who has looked up to me his entire childhood. All it took was a trip to Realm and two weeks of hanging out with Caterina for me to be the enemy in his eyes.

"Say what you have to say, Cesar. You glaring at me isn't doing anything but pissing me off."

"What are you going to shoot me too?" He rolls his eyes, his lips turning up in disgust.

"I'm sure it can be arranged if you like, and I won't miss this time."

"Fratellone."

"No, you don't get to call me that." I toss the towel at him. "I see which side you're on."

"I'm always on your side, but I'm on Cat's side too. She didn't deserve that. Whatever happened when you two ran off to the bathroom is none of our business—"

"You're right. It's none of your business, so don't make it." I love him to death, but I won't tolerate disrespect from him. "The last thing I want to do is explain to Mama why you're breathing through a tube for the rest of your life."

He throws his water bottle at me, and I move out of the way. "Alexandro, you should apologize to Cat. Also, I think she feels she is overstaying her welcome at Matteo's. You should bring her back to your villa."

"I'll think about it." My phone rings, ending the conversation. I tell Cesar he can leave, but he doesn't move. "I'll stop by Matteo's this evening." A smile breaks out on his face, and he waves, rushing out of the gym.

Moreno is calling.

"Boss, we have a problem."

"What?"